UCSO kicks off capital campaign for new campus

ARDMORE, OK - "Every inch of space is being used as much as it can," said UCSO board member Jessica Pfau. "But we need more."

Thursday afternoon the University Center of Southern Oklahoma announced their capital campaign kickoff toward phase I of a new campus. The estimated cost is $17 and half million dollars. Nursing student Ethan Adams is looking forward to it.

"It'll be a bigger facility for one, and being able to interact with other students because we'll actually be on the campus," said Adams. "That'll be nice."

Adams and other nursing students currently go to class in a renovated grocery store near downtown Ardmore. The old store along with three modular buildings are meant to be temporary. University Center CEO Dr. Steve Mills said that's where the new campus comes in.

"The first phase of the campus is a health, science and math building," said Mills. "And our greatest need right now is to find a permanent location for the ECU nursing program."

The new building will house labs, classrooms and offices. It will be built on 85 acres of land north of the current campus, which will leave room for future expansion. UCSO has already raised $13 million dollars toward phase I and has $4 and half million to go.

"Local foundations, businesses, it's on for several months here and we've just got a great response," Mills said.

With the chance to go from the grocery store to a brand new building, students are responding well too.

"I think the facility will create a much better learning environment," Adams said.

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